Rolex Air-King

The Air-King is one of the oldest Rolex collections: a three-hand Swiss watch with an aviation background. The name dates from 1945 and honours the Royal Air Force pilots of the Battle of Britain, many of whom flew wearing Oyster watches. Of the "air" models of that era — Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, Air-Giant — the Air-King is the only one Rolex still makes.

The collection comes in two case sizes. The classic Air-King measures 34 mm: the vintage reference 5500 with calibre 1520 was produced from 1957 to 1989, while the later 14000M, 114200 and 114210 use calibre 3130, and the last two feature Arabic 3, 6 and 9 on blue and salmon dials. In 2016 the reference 116900 became the first 40 mm Air-King, with a smooth bezel and pilot-style markings: large 3, 6 and 9, a prominent minute scale, a green central seconds hand, green Rolex lettering and a yellow crown. The current 126900, introduced in 2022, keeps the same look. All of these watches have stainless steel cases and self-winding movements.

Within the collection it is easiest to choose by size and generation first, then by condition and completeness. Each listing gives the reference, calibre, power reserve, condition and what is included — box and papers.